The top reported proficiency rate is 56% in English language arts. The lowest is 23% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Northwestern Elementary
Northwestern Elementary serves students from prekindergarten through fifth grade in Mardela Springs, a small town on the south side of U.S. Route 50 in Wicomico County. The community is a quiet bedroom settlement; most working residents commute to Salisbury or Seaford, Delaware, and there is no major local employer within the town itself. The school sits within this close-knit residential fabric, with Mardela Middle and High School also located in town, meaning families in this area move through a single local school pipeline from elementary through graduation.
The student body draws heavily from the town and surrounding rural area. The enrollment is modest for an elementary school serving these grades. A majority of students identify as white, with smaller shares of Black students, students of two or more races, and Asian and Hispanic students. More than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a signal that a substantial portion of families face economic pressure. Data on students with disabilities and English learners was not provided, so a parent may want to ask the school directly about the support available for those groups.
On state assessments, Northwestern Elementary shows a mixed academic picture. In English language arts, results are a relative strength. Across the grades tested, a majority of students scored proficient or above, with results in third and fourth grade falling above the midpoint of what a parent might expect statewide. Fifth grade results landed in a similar range. In math, performance is notably lower. About half of third graders met the proficiency bar, and that share dropped for fourth graders. Fifth grade math results fell in a range that is considerably softer. Science results for fifth graders are the weakest area, with a modest share of students demonstrating proficiency. The school has only a single year of data available for these assessments, so there is no trend line to show improvement or decline.
Northwestern Elementary does not serve high school grades, so there is no graduation rate to report. The school is a regular public school within the Wicomico County Public Schools system. The district recently opened a new elementary school in Salisbury and has a published facilities master plan guiding long-term investments, but those are centered on the county seat rather than Mardela Springs directly. No data was available on course access, staffing ratios, chronic absenteeism, or discipline, so a parent may want to inquire about these areas during a visit.
Housing in the area carries a price well below the state median, and the national benchmark for home values is also higher, making this corner of Wicomico County more affordable relative to many parts of Maryland. The town has seen no major new development in recent years and remains stable, with residents relying on cars for most errands and commuting. For a family seeking a small elementary school in a low-key rural setting where most students speak English and the community is tightly connected, Northwestern Elementary fits that profile. Families whose priority is strong elementary reading scores will see that as a clear asset, while those concerned about math and science performance may want to explore what supports the school offers in those subjects.
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